On invitation, HRAS International joined experts at the 22nd Geneva International Film Festival and Forum on Human Rights (FIFDH) to speak about human rights protections at sea.

Introduced by Adelin Coigny, Founder Smile Wave Fund and Gerry Simpson, Associate Director, Crisis and Conflict Division, Human Rights Watch, the event entitled: ‘Can the high seas escape the law of might?’ drew a virtually full venue at the Espace Pitoeff theatre, Rue de Carouge, Geneva.
 
Moderated by Félicien Bogaerts, Belgium Television presenter and environmental activist, the panel comprised:
  • Patima Tungpuchayakul main subject of "Ghost Fleet", activist and founder of LPN Foundation.
  • Claire Nouvian, Environmental activist and Founder of the Bloom Association, and
  • Shannon Service, Co-director of "Ghost Fleet"

Ghost Fleet

Preceded by the 2018 film Ghost Fleet, the expert panel expanded upon the film’s findings of gross exploitation and horrific abuse of Thai fishers trafficked then enslaved, some for over 12 years. 
 
At the heart of the film was Patima Tungpuchayakul, a woman of unwavering determination and Nobel Prize nominee. Her small group of activists have dedicated themselves heart and soul to the fight against human trafficking. 

Most notably, LPN have enabled more than 4,900 men to be reunited with their families after years of silence.
 
FIFDH 9 Mar 24 Espace Pidoeff Carouge Geneva

Human Rights at Sea

Alongside environmental, biodiversity and sustainable fishing issues led by Claire Nouvain, HRAS International Executive Director, David Hammond, expanded to discuss essential legal interventions, gaps in international law and the development of soft-law initiatives.
 
He further expanded on the critical role of civil society driving reductions in corporate impunity through direct education and accountability noting the increasing use of litigation and the need for increased prosecutions to act as a deterrent effect.

 

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